Kingston District Council has committed to commence an emergency dredging campaign to enable reopening of the Cape Jaffa marina, while it awaits advice on the outcome of a grant application (closing 25 October) and other potential funding support mechanisms via the State Government.
The decision was made at a special council meeting last week and council has now engaged its dredging contractor to mobilise and commence dredging at its earliest availability, in the first week of November.
The works will enable re-opening of the marina for all vessels by not later than the end of November and if possible, earlier.
Council chief executive Ian Hart said an extensive sand management/dredging campaign undertaken in early 2024 to remove 75,000 cubic metres of sand build-up was committed to by the current term of council with intent to get ahead of expected sand accretion rates along the Cape Jaffa coastline.
“However, the recent storms were so impactful that this campaign is now largely redundant and greater interventions are now required. Council considers the recent storm impact as a natural disaster and is seeking funding support to deal with its impact upon the Cape Jaffa marina environment,” he said.
“Council endorsed release of its remaining current year dredging budget of approximately $520,000 to commence the dredging program, noting however, the full extent of works required would far exceed this amount. Almost 100,000 cubic metres of sand accumulated following the recent storms in early September.
“Council is very concerned however, that without any significant grant and/or other funding support mechanism from the State Government, the work it is committing to, will only provide a temporary solution to the ongoing problem.
“The budgeted amount had been set for the alternative purpose of further mitigation of future sand management costs, which has had to now be diverted to this emergency work program.
“However, council has committed to the works, mindful of the impacts to businesses, tourism and residents leading into the important peak holiday and fishing season.
“The reality is that wherever a facility is built that requires boat launching and associated groyne/s and other enabling marina infrastructure, there is an inherited responsibility for ongoing management of natural coastal sand drift, which is a high operational expense.”
Mr Hart said in recent years council had been tackling a legacy issue, which was “now recognised as historically insufficient dredging and sand management at Cape Jaffa”.
“This has resulted in shoreline build up on the western side of the marina, ultimately threatening the marina mouth water depth and erosion on the eastern side,” he said.
“In addition to dredging operations, council is receiving advice on other activities that may assist in managing the Cape Jaffa marina and coastline, including potential sand pumping via slurry pump and pipe infrastructure as an additional sand management tool.
“Council is collaborating with the State Government on the proposed plan for managing this ongoing process, with a desire to confirm a long term sustainable and financially cost-effective model for the future, which is currently beyond the capacity of a small regional council like Kingston.
“The Cape Jaffa marina is now home to and/or a launching place to a commercial fishing fleet and many recreational fishing vessels, while also home to residents who have built their homes there.
“It is the closest harbour for vessels from the Southern Adelaide/Fleurieu region and normally the location for launch of a State Emergency Services (SES) rescue boat.
“It is currently the only boat ramp available within the Kingston council area, which without its availability, makes it impossible for larger recreational vessels to be launched in the district.”
